บท 16: Sorrows of Joy

"An additional porter?" Albrecht repeated.

"Yes, I'd better head back. It was nice talking to you. Let me know if you're willing to accept. We'll send our terms via the Lomenschwaal Guild later. Just stop by over there if you're the least bit interested." Cainsz waved his hand in goodbye before disappearing off into the distance.

It only took him a couple of seconds to clear the entire distance of the Forest of Chythyllu. And once he arrived at the entrance, he immediately informed the guards about Albrecht's arrival. After briefly describing him, he headed to the Lomenschwaal Guild to update the guild master about his recent exploit.

"Do you think he's going to accept our terms?" Chloe Petrine whispered to Cainsz as they handed the terms to the guild master. "I mean... these are our regular rates here in our guild. Surely he's going to accept it."

"Of course, he would, I've seen Albrecht in action. I'm sure he's going to take us places— at least, he's going to bring us the victory we so needed on the Second Outerlayer."

With a scrunched expression on his face, the guild master examined the terms that Cainsz came up with. Usually, he wouldn't have any say when it comes to the recruitment of adventurers to the Heroes of Lomenschwaal party. But right now, it's a different topic altogether. They were to recruit a hero, after all, and a hero would usually have a higher rate.

Stealing a glance at Cainsz, the guild master then slammed the paper on the counter, causing a resounding thump on the wooden surface. He didn't have a modicum of anger in him, but he was a tad bit disappointed that this was the best Cainsz came up with.

"Are you saying that these are your terms?" The guild master growled akin to a hungry predator.

Although Cainsz was relatively stronger than the guild master, he couldn't help but feel inferior as he cowered in slight apprehension. "But... those are our normal terms, right? We signed the same contract on your guild. If any, we wanted Albrecht to feel equal with us. We wanted him to be treated equally since he's not just any adventurer. He's from the past, just like us, a hero."

"I get what you're saying. But he's a porter."

"Respectfully, sir, whether he's a porter or a damage dealer, he's a hero." Cainsz returned.

"I know what I'm saying Cainsz, and I don't disagree with your words. I'm just saying.."

"... this is not enough. Increase his rate by sixty gold coins per month instead of the usual fifty. Give him the first pick on quests. And the dungeons we've monopolized on the First Outerlayer, make sure that he gets a raid pass every single month."

"What? But that's my rate, and I'm the leader of the Heroes of Lomenschwaal party." Cainsz complained. As it turned out, the guild master wanted to offer Albrecht more. Initially, Cainsz assumed that the guild master wanted to reduce the terms of the contract.

"Yes. It's been six months since the summoning of past heroes. Right now, it's pretty rare for a hero to come knocking on our doorstep. I tell you, the Kingdom of Rilegarthe made a mistake when they fired Albrecht from the Heroes of Relics party.

"Why didn't you say so in the first place, guild master? We're going to bring him over. I'm sure he'll agree to these terms." Cainsz said with renewed confidence. While he was jealous that Albrecht get to have the same treatment as him, he didn't take it to heart. After all, if this is what it took to bring Albrecht over, then he's going to follow through no matter what.

With a nod, the guild master turned around, reliant that Cainsz would really bring the porter along. As for Cainsz and Petrine, they exited the guild. Tonight, they'll be having a meeting with the rest of the Heroes of Lomenschwaal, and they couldn't dare miss that paramount meeting regarding the Second Outerlayer.

— — — — —

In the middle of the Murasaki Village, a sizeable makeshift bonfire was erected, and people gathered around the fire kneeling down on the ground. They muttered a soft prayer, repeating after the village chief as he prayed for all the people who died and for all the people who would live on.

Somehow, Albrecht was included in the ceremony. Daley assisted him throughout the entire ritual since he had no idea what was going on. It was a given that every city, village (or kingdom for that matter) had its own set of rituals and traditions. Honoring both the living and the dead was only a small portion of what Murasaki Village celebrated.

"Do you do this every time something attacks the village?" Albrecht whispered. He didn't bother stealing a glance at Daley since he was busy admiring the view of the mesmerizing fire that lighted the purple trees aglow.

"Every time a tragedy strikes, we celebrate the Sorrows of Joy. It is a grave reminder that life is fickle and that those who died must be remembered while the living must go on with life." Daley responded. "My parents died protecting me, and I will remember them as I grow up. I'll become a strong adventurer like you, mister, and I will conquer Ground Zero myself.'

'I guess the children of this world are strong, huh.' Albrecht muttered in his mind as he patted Daley on the head.

The celebration lasted the entire night. It was a sorrowful night and Albrecht was surprised that more than half of the village actually died due to the snake. At that point, he began to wonder whether letting the snake live was a good decision or not.

"You're going to kill my partner?"

Albrecht felt like he was about to go through an out-of-body experience as Yukina suddenly popped out on his shoulder. He remembered that she and her partner could pop up any time they want, and Albrecht felt like a fool for acting so surprised.

"No, I spared her life so she could atone for her sins. You're going to help me in my exploits, and in turn, I will give you the life you so wanted outside Ground Zero." Albrecht let out. He finally got an idea of where the two parties would benefit from each other. It was a pretty good exchange, and Albrecht wasn't complaining.

"Thank you... if it weren't for you, I'd have grown to hate mankind even more. Your kind took everything away from me... but you, you seem like a good person so I'm sticking with you." Yukina said.

While she talked, Albrecht noticed that she didn't look at him throughout their entire conversation. Not once. Tracing her gaze, he realized that she was eyeing the steak he was holding. "Here," He offered, to which Yukina obliged without question.

Nearby, the people were finishing up with their ritual, and from time to time, they would look in Albrecht's general direction, giving him a bow of gratitude. This was the first time he felt like people were dependent on him, and honestly, the feeling wasn't so bad. A smile appeared on Albrecht's face as he bit on the piece of steak...

... except the steak wasn't there anymore. Yukine ate it in one bite.